VITICULTURE
Grapes from our historic Greenmeadows vineyard on the beautiful Mission
Estate were hand harvested for this wine. This vineyard has deep, sandy-silt
loams, allowing for sustainable growing without the need for irrigation. Two
clones are used, the old Mendoza clone that was planted 29 years ago and
clone 15, planted in 2015. The summer of 2021/22 was mild and dry in Hawke’s
Bay, allowing the fruit to accumulate sugars and develop delicious ripe flavours.
There were some significant rainfall events in the Autumn of 2022, but being
early ripening, the Chardonnay was able to be harvested at optimal ripeness
without any compromise to quality.
WINEMAKING
Hand harvested fruit was gently pressed, with only the best quality free-run and
light pressings selected for this wine. The juice was fermented in French oak
barriques, 30% of which were new. The wine was transferred to older barrels
after ten months and aged on lees for a total of 18 months. The blend was
assembled in tank, given a light casein fining, then filtered prior to bottling.
Reaching New Zealand shores in 1838, pioneering French missionaries founded
a legacy. From their many accomplishments, now interwoven throughout
history, came New Zealand’s first winery, Mission, in 1851.
Their inspiration, a legacy we continue.
New Zealand Winegrowing
Central to the success of New Zealand as a world-renowned wine growing region is the temperate maritime climate and the free-
draining alluvial soils. The growing season is long, providing perfect conditions for slow
ripening and full flavour development. Cool nights and warm days
retain fruit acidity which lends a freshness and vibrancy, highly
characteristic of New Zealand wine styles.
Sustainability Practices
Mission has strong sustainability credentials as a founding member of
Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand and holding ISO 14001
environmental certification since 1998.
With organics and organic conversions underway in some vineyards,
Mission has an ongoing commitment to sustainable viticulture and
winemaking practices.
In 2007, the Mission winery underwent a multi-million dollar upgrade
designed to maximise energy and water efficiencies.
Today, Mission is proud to produce some of New Zealand’s finest
wines in the most environmentally friendly manner.
